CSX plans capacity expansion on River Line

CSX is planning a major track capacity expansion on its River Line between northern New Jersey and the Albany, N.Y., region.

The $26-million project, with plans for additional River Line capacity expansion in future years, will enable CSX to handle more trains and support the growth of crude oil moving by rail, intermodal shipments, automobiles and other businesses, while maintaining strong service performance.

A total of 18 miles of second track will be constructed during the next two to three years that will create additional capacity on the Hudson River's west shore. Preliminary work to prepare the sites in New York state at Ravena-Coxsackie, Catskill and Haverstraw is already complete, with construction to begin early this year.

Capacity on the River Line was last expanded in 2005. Consistent growth in rail traffic on the line during the past several years, along with growth projections, now warrant additional investment to further increase the corridor's capacity. The River Line is part of CSX's I-90 corridor that connects Chicago with New York, northern New Jersey and the Philadelphia areas and supports some of the network's highest velocity and volumes.